Preventing the return of the death penalty

on 19 August 2022

While the progress of the global abolitionist movement seems irreversible, some abolitionist in law or abolitionist in practice countries are threatening to return to the death penalty and resume executions. Since 2018, the World Coalition has been campaigning globally to systematize a response to these risks of reinstating the death penalty after its abolition.

The focus of the World Coalition has been so far on the Maldives, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Turkey. While the actions of this campaign have been focused on these 4 countries, the results and the best practices can be applied to any country considering a return to the death penalty or legally sanctioned executions.

Building Civil Society Capacity in Countries at Risk to Prevent the Reintroduction of the Death Penalty and the Resumption of Executions

  • Carrying out studies on specific countries in which the death penalty may return, for example on Turkey
  • Organization of trainings according to need
  • Creation of advocacy tools, such as these ones for the Maldives and the Philippines
  • Financial support to civil society organizations in target countries, for example in the Philippines in 2019 and 2020

Coordinate and strengthen abolitionist action to support the work of local civil society and deepen its impact

  • Coordination of working groups for all member and partner organizations to better monitor ongoing risks
  • Advocacy at the United Nations and regional human rights bodies, including by submitting reports and following up for the Philippines and the Maldives
  • Mobilizing on World Days Against the Death Penalty (10 October)

Take action

  • Share the campaign

    Share the campaign
  • Related document(s)

    Document(s)

    Fair Trial Standards in the Maldives (World Day Against the Death Penalty 2020)

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Maldivian Democracy Network , on 10 August 2021


    2021

    Campaigning

    Fair Trial

    Legal Representation

    Maldives


    More details Download [ pdf - 435 Ko ]

    For the 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty this year is dedicated to the right to effective legal representation for individuals who face death sentences around the world. The theme of access to counsel reinforces the importance of fair trial standards in every legal system and judicial context.

    • Document type Campaigning
    • Countries list Maldives
    • Themes list Fair Trial / Legal Representation

    Document(s)

    Preventing the Reinstatement of Capital Punishment in the Maldives

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Nasheen Kalkat - Reprieve, on 10 August 2021


    Campaigning

    Maldives

    Public Opinion 

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 261 Ko ]

    Findings from a preliminary study concerning the local abolitionist movement, risksto related civilsociety organizations and the identification of capacity building opportunities.

    Document(s)

    Keep the Death Penalty Abolished in the Philippines (English)

    By World Coalition Against Death Penalty, on 23 March 2021


    2021

    Campaigning

    Drug Offenses

    Philippines

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 7827 Ko ]

    This brochure was developed by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty with the Commission on the Human Rights in the Philippines. It explains why the death penalty risks returning in the Philippines and the reasons against its resurgence. It is available in 11 languages of the Philippines, plus French and English.

    Document(s)

    Advisory on the Increased Vulnerabilty of Women Migrant Workers on Death Row

    By Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, on 3 December 2021


    2021

    Government body report

    Drug Offenses

    Legal Representation

    Philippines

    Women

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 1457 Ko ]

    The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines issues this advisory to bring the Philippines’ attention to the heightened vulnerabilities of women Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

    Document(s)

    Philippines: March 2018 National Survey on Public Perceptions on the Death Penalty

    By Social Weather Stations (SWS), on 1 January 2018


    2018

    NGO report


    More details See the document

    This is the main finding of the March 2018 National Survey on Public Perception on the Death Penalty, conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) for the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP). This is the first survey in the Philippines to explore thought processes and disentangle layers of perceptions about the death penalty. It did face-to-face interviews of 2,000 respondents aged 15 and above nationwide during the period March 22 to 27, 2018.

    • Document type NGO report
    • Themes list Public opinion, Death Penalty, Country/Regional profiles,

    Document(s)

    Preventing the Reintroduction of the Death Penalty in the Philippines

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Mai Sato and Sara Kowal, on 10 August 2021


    2021

    Campaigning

    Philippines

    Public Opinion 

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 218 Ko ]

    Findings of a study on the threats facing local civil society efforts to combat reinstroduction of the death penalty and the risks involved with reintroducing the death penalty in the Philippines.

    Document(s)

    Turkey: The Risk of Reinstatment of the Death Penalty

    By World Caolition againt the Death Penalty, Anne Souléliac, Rusen Aytac - Barreau de Paris, on 10 August 2021


    Campaigning

    Public Opinion 

    Turkey

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 312 Ko ]

    Findings from a preliminary study on the situation of human rights defenders in Turkey and the potential of a return to capital punishment.

    Document(s)

    Helpful Hints and Advice on Online Harassment

    By World Coalition against the Death Penalty , on 10 August 2021


    Campaigning

    Public Opinion 

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 165 Ko ]

    Online advocacy efforts by human rights organizations face increasingly dangerous threats. In this short guide, we elaborate a few helpful hints and
    advice, as well as list a compilation of resources that organizations can refer to handle online harassment.

    Document(s)

    How to Work with Parliamentarians for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 7 October 2021


    2021

    Working with...

    World Coalition

    Moratorium

    Public Opinion 

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 18114 Ko ]

    This how-to guide, elaborated with Parliamentarians for Global Action with highlights coming from the African continent, is specifically designed for the use of abolitionist civil society groups who want to work with parliamentarians for the abolition of the death penalty.